Tooth Fillings Avondale, AZ
Mercury Free Tooth Fillings
We are a mercury-free practice. However, many people still have silver/mercury fillings in their mouths from years past. These fillings are not particularly pleasing to the eye, and we know that by unavoidable design, silver/mercury fillings ultimately result in a weaker tooth structure. Porcelain inlays and Tooth Colored Restorations (onlays) create fillings that are not only beautiful (or unnoticeable) but also add strength to weakened teeth. These restorations are esthetically pleasing and very strong thanks to new bonding technologies.
Disadvantages of Silver fillings:
Silver fillings have many drawbacks. The edges of the silver filling can wear down, become weak or break. This results in the tooth not being protected and lets cavities get started once again. With age, the metal of a silver filling expands, contracts, and can split.
Silver fillings contain 50 percent mercury. They can corrode, leak and cause stains on your teeth and gums.
Fortunately, silver fillings can safely be replaced with Tooth-Colored Restorations.
Advantages of Tooth-Colored Restorations
There are many advantages to tooth-colored restorations. Resin onlays are bonded to the teeth creating a tight, superior fit to the natural tooth. Such restorations can be used in instances where much of the tooth structure has been lost. The tooth remains intact and stronger.
Since the resin used in tooth-colored restorations contain fluoride this can help prevent decay. The resin wears like natural teeth and does not require placement at the gum line, which is healthier for your gums!
The result is a beautiful smile!
Which dental products may contain BPAs? Are they safe?
Bisphenol’s are chemical compounds used to manufacture plastics and are present in most composite and flowable resin materials used to protect or restore tooth structure.
BPA’s are known to be estrogenic, and therefore travel easily through the cell membrane, where they can bind to and stimulate estrogen receptors. While estrogen is naturally present in our systems, estrogen imbalance is linked to health risks, including cancer. Most breast cancers “feed” on estrogen supplies for growth.
Night guards and other plastic sports guards may contain BPAs, but there are niteguards on the market that do not. For example, night guards made of Eastman Tritan copolyester are BPA-free, and there are numerous dental labs that can fabricate BPA-free dental appliances. The Eastman Tritan material is the same innovative material used in Camel Back products and Nalgene water bottles. Invisalign retainers do not contain Bisphenol-A. If you need a plastic dental appliance, ask your dentist whether the material used to fabricate it contains BPAs.
Exposure to BPAs from composite filling materials is only of concern when the resin is in a liquid or semi-liquid state – e.g. before it is hardened through the light curing process. Once it is hardened, there is no longer a risk of exposure. For this reason, the technique your dental professional uses in curing the material is very important. You will want to ensure they are using what is called the “layering” or “sandwiching” technique, in which the material is placed in layers and fully cured before the next layer is placed. This ensures the restoration is completely cured throughout.
Replacing Silver Fillings with a Tooth Colored Restoration
You can have your silver fillings replaced with tooth-colored restorations (onlays). This process requires two appointments.
Your First Appointment:
- The old filling is removed along with any additional decay.
- An impression is made of your teeth. A model of your teeth is made and sent to the lab.
- A temporary onlay is placed on the tooth.
At the Lab: A resin is carefully placed into the model of your teeth. It is then designed to look natural.
Your Second Appointment:
- The temporary onlay is removed.
- A conditioning gel is placed on your tooth to prepare it for the new onlay.
- Bonding cement is placed on the tooth and a high intensity light bonds the resin to the tooth.
- The tooth is then polished.
Your teeth are restored to a natural look and feel, they are stronger and the tooth is protected!